Dehydrator attachment for tanks



Oct. 7, 1947. UNDSAY 2,428,426

DEHYDRATOR ATTACHMENT FOR TANKS Filed Feb. 26, 1944 UIIMIIII/IHI'II 7 ATTORNEY Patented'oct. 7, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFKIE DEHYDRATOR ATTACHMENT FOR TANKS Lynn G. Lindsay, St. Paul, Minn.

Application February 26, 1944, Serial No. 524,147

2 Claims. (01. 312-311) It is an object of this invention to provide a novel dehydrator attachment for guarding against the harmful effects of condensation of moisture in tanks under freezing conditions, the device being particularly although not exclusively adapted for use in connection with the fuel tanks of motor vehicles and airplanes.

A further object is to provide an attachment of this class having a container at least a portion of which is transparent and wherein the dehydrating material is associated with a coloring agent subject to change of color upon adsorption of a predetermined proportion of moisture so that by mere inspection it can be determined when the dehydrating material should be replaced.

Other objects will appear and be more fully pointed out in the accompanying specification and claims.

Clogging of fuel conduits and mechanism such as fuel injectors, pumps and carburetors during the operation of motors under freezing conditions is frequently caused by condensation and freezing of the moisture which enters the fuel tanks with the air necessarily admitted to replace the fuel as it is used. By the use of the present invention I obviate this difilculty by drying the air continuously in the tank,

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of my improved dehydrator attachment mounted on a closure for atank;

tainer is preferably constructed from a strongtransparent plastic such as polystyrene, methylmethacrylate or cellulose acetate butyrate. Silica gel is the best known dehydrating material 5 and this is impregnated with a coloring agent such as cobalt chloride which is subject to a change in color from blue to pink when the dehydrating material becomes saturated or when it has adsorbed a predetermined proportion of moisture. The container 6 is molded with an opening which may be closed by an end member I after being filled with the material 5, the Joint being sealed by the use of an adhesive or by fusing the member I to the container walls. Depending from the end member I is a multiplicity of vertically elongated tubes 8 each having a minute axial passage for placing the interior of the container in communication with the interior of the tank when in use. A reduced and threaded upper end portion 9 is formed on the container 6 for attachment to a tank member and an annular shoulder at the base of the portion 9 supports a washer In for making a sealed connection with the tank member.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the threaded end portion 9 of the container 6 fits in an internally threaded bearing I l which is fixed concentrically -in a circular closure cap indicated generally by the numeral I2 for the fuel tank. This cap is adapted to close the mouth of the pipe l3 (Fig. 3) which projects upward from the tank (not shown) and is ordinarily used for charging the tank with fuel. Details of the connection between the cap I2 and pipe l3 are old and well known. As shown, they include an annular flange l4 extending inward around the mouth of the pipe l3 and formed with notches IE to receive lugs l6 projecting from an inverted cup-shaped member I! of the cap. Spaced upward from the lugs I6 is a somewhat resilient metal disk l8 forming an annular bearing for a gasket I9, the lower face of which is adapted to make contact with the flange [4 of the pipe l3. Mounted above the disk I8 within the cap is a dish-shaped member 20 having a peripheral flange engaging the inner periphery of a cap flange l2a. This member 20 is formed with a vent opening 2i for placing the space above it in communication with an annular space at the outer periphery of the gasket [9. A second vent passage 22 places the interior of the tank in communication with the space above the member 20 when the cap is in place on the tank.

To look the cap H on the pipe l3, the lugs l6 are passed downward through the openings [5 and then the cap is turned approximately onequarter of a revolution to move the lugs beneath inclined cam surfaces 23 which are formed on a the tank it is replaced by air entering beneath v aeaaese 3 the outer periphery oi the cap l2 and passing through the vent o ening 2| and passage}! at I one side of the container 8. Such moisture as may enter with the air through the vent passages as well as that otherwise admitted to the I tank is quickly adsorbed by the dehydrating material 8 since this material has a strong aiiinity for moisture and draws it up through the tube 8. These tubes perform the further function of excluding fuel from the container 8 when movement of the vehicle causes splashing oi the fuel against the bottom of the container 8. It is desirable ordinarily to exclude the liquid i'ueltrom the dehydrating material since it it is allowed to, stand in contact with silica gel it causes some discoloration which might be confused with a change in color due to adsorption of moisture.

By exposing the upper end 8a of the transparent container 8 to view above the cap l2,'I

, 80 ing of condensed moisture during operation under 7 low temperature conditions.

Having described my invention, whatl claim as new anddesire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a closure for closing a 35 1,190,311 filling opening of a tank for liquid, a container for dehydrating material detachably mounted, on said closure, at least a portion of said container being transparent, dehydrating material. and a coloring agent in said container, said coloring 40 agent being subject to change in color uponthe absorption of a predetermined quantity of moisture by the dehydrating material, said container having openings formed in its bottom wall for communicating with the atmosphere in said tank 45 437,139

above the level of liquid therein and being subject to the splashing oi the liquid in the tank under certain operating conditions and means projectin from and below said container for guarding against the splashing of the drating material therein.

iilling opening or a tank for liquid,.a container for dehydrating material detachably mounted on said closure, at least a p rtion of said container being transparent, dehydrating material and a coloring agent in said container, said coloring agent being subject to change in color-upon the absorption or a predetermined quantity of moisture by the dehydrating material, said container being subject to the splashing oi the liquid in the tank under certain operating conditions and pendant, elongated tubes carried by said container and formed to place the interior or the container in communication with the interior of the tanktor subjeotingthe atmosphere above the liquid in the tank to the dehydrating eflect of said material and guarding against the exposure oi said dehydrating material to the splashing oi liquidirom said tank when in motion.

LYNN G. LINDSAY. itnrnnasons crrnn The following references are of record in the file oi. this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Number Name v McBride July 11, 1916 2,283,867 Flosdori' May 19, 1942 2,315,049 Cronstedt Mar, 30, 1943 2,335,901 7 I Ayers Dec. 7, 1943 1,871,449 Eschholz Aug. 16,1932 2,272,829 Bohnsack Feb. 10, 1942 1,494,771 Coombs May 10, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date liquid on said dehy-' 2. In combination with a closure for closing a England Oct. 24, 1935 

